Helen R. Walton Children's Enrichment Center

 

Tips for Parents

 

July's Topic: 

Aiming for Adventure Not Agony

Family vacations should be an opportunity for bonding and fun without the pressures of everyday life.  Where a family goes or for what period of time is not important.  The best vacations are ones that are planned around the interests and abilities of the children.

 

The family plan… Involve the children in the decision process of the family vacation.  If the goal is to visit grandma, ask for the child’s input regarding activities that the family can do together while visiting a new town.  Zoos and Children’s Museums are good choices for all age groups.  Compromise is the key!

 

Young children are self-focused, have a short attention span, and need to move; all normal aspects of development.  Consider such needs when planning the travel part of your vacation.  Identify fun stopping points along the way verses traveling straight through to your destination.  Make the drive an adventure!

 

Preparation… Create a survival kit.  Pack healthy snacks, storybooks, crayons, paper, travel games and tapes.  A survival kit helps minimize irritability and crankiness during the drive or air flight.  Young children also enjoy talking about their observations and experiences.  This is a perfect opportunity to have quality time and conversation with your child.

 

Vacation Arrival… Children need and like routines.  Be sure to keep naptime, mealtimes and bedtimes as close to the normal routine as possible.  If schedules must change, be sure to discuss the itinerary with the children so they know what to expect.

 

Don’t over commit your family during vacation.  Be sure to build in leisure time.  Most importantly, remember this is time to create fond memories.  Enjoy your summer!

 

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